The Dallas Police Department has suspended its investigation of an alleged assault involving Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, citing a lack of witnesses and an inability to contact the victim.
“(The Dallas Police Department has) made several attempts to contact the victim through various ways but at this time have not been able to make contact,” the police said in a statement.
The alleged incident occurred at Clutch Bar in Dallas late Sunday night and left a 30-year-old man hospitalized with a nose injury, according to a police report. No arrests were made, and police did not name any suspects.
An NFL official said earlier this week that the league is aware of the situation involving Elliott and “looking into it to understand the facts.”
Dallas coach Jason Garrett said earlier on Wednesday that he planned to speak with Elliott about the incident on Friday.
Panthers name Hurney interim GM
Marty Hurney, who served as general manager of the Panthers from 2002-12, returned to the organization as interim general manager two days after Dave Gettleman was fired by owner Jerry Richardson.
“Marty is the perfect person to help us in the interim,” Richardson said. “He worked with us for 15 years and understands the culture we have here. He had a lot to do with the core of our team being in place. I’m thankful that he is willing to help us in this transition period.”
Fourteen players acquired during Hurney’s tenure are still on the roster. He said Wednesday afternoon that mistakes made during his time with the team become lessons for this run as interim GM which is expected to cover at least the 2017 season.
Hurney worked in the scouting department from 1998-2001 before becoming GM. Gettleman was hired in January 2013 to replace Hurney, who was fired after a 1-5 start to the 2012 season and a 6-10 record in 2011.
Chargers WR Williams may need season-ending surgery
Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Mike Williams reportedly may need back surgery that would end his rookie season.
The team still is hoping Williams will respond positively to a recent second epidural on his herniated disk in a last-ditch effort to have the wide receiver ready at some time during training camp, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams, 22, was diagnosed with a herniated disk in the lower back after his first practice during rookie minicamp last month and did not practice again. It is unclear if the injury took place before minicamp.
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters then that he hoped resting Williams’ back would allow him to be ready for training camp.
Mitch Trubisky signs 4-year contract with Bears
Mitchell Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded multiple picks to swap spots with the San Francisco 49ers in April, sliding up to select Trubisky even after signing Mike Glennon to a three-year deal with $18.5 million guaranteed this season.
Trubisky’s contract is on par with 2016 No. 2 pick Carson Wentz, who landed a fully guaranteed four-year, $26.67 million deal. Wentz started Week 1 with the Philadelphia Eagles, who after training camp scrapped a plan to keep the former North Dakota State star off the field as a rookie. The Eagles then traded Sam Bradford to the Vikings, advancing Wentz’s timeline.
Pace said his plan at quarterback is to bring Trubisky along slowly.
Jaguars DE Fowler Jr. arrested on charges of battery, mischief
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, on charges of simple battery and mischief.
Fowler, 22, was arrested in his hometown by St. Petersburg police for the misdemeanor charges at 9:02 p.m. on Tuesday and released at 1:43 a.m. Wednesday on $650 bond.
Fowler struck a man and then stomped on his prescription glasses after a brief verbal confrontation, according to the police report obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Fowler got out of his car to confront the man after he made a comment about Fowler’s driving, according to the report. Police said Fowler then “took the victim’s grocery bag, with recently purchased liquor, and threw it in a lake.” Police said the victim was not injured.
Former Bills WR Hardy’s death ruled a suicide
The death of former Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy has been ruled a suicide in Indiana.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office said in a statement that the cause of Hardy’s death was asphyxia due to drowning and the manner of death was suicide.
Hardy’s body was found June 7 in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne. He was 31. Hardy’s mother reported him missing May 30.
Chief Investigator Michael Burris said the determination of suicide was based on Hardy’s medical and psychiatric history, his contacts with law enforcement and other evidence, including some found on his body.